Ball retrieval device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, and specifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat. The retrieval device is incorporated as part of a hitting device, such as a baseball bat, during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the retrieval device is removably mounted on the hitting device or is more or less permanently joined with the hitting device by mounting the ball retrieval device in an opening created by the hitting device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/522,376, filed on Sep. 22, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/593,518, filed on Jan. 20, 2005. The benefit of the filing dates ofthese applications is hereby claimed, and the disclosures of eachapplication hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, andspecifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or beingincorporated as part of, a bat.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Prior to a baseball or softball game, and during practices, it iscustomary for a coach or player to warm up the players on the field, andconduct infield/outfield fielding practice, by hitting balls to variouslocations on the baseball or softball field. The players catch or“field” the hit balls, and then return them to the coach or player sothat he or she may continue the fielding practice.

During the warm-up and fielding practice, there are significant numbersof balls being hit by the coach or player. As each ball is returned tothe coach or player by the fielding player, the coach or player picks upthe ball to be hit again out into the baseball or softball field. Thisnecessarily requires the coach or player to repeatedly bend over andretrieve balls from the ground in order to continue the fieldingpractice.

Baseball season typically starts in early Spring and lasts through Fall.Games and practice during this season are daily occurrences, which meansthat the coach or player in charge of fielding practice, game practiceand/or ball retrieval is repeatedly bending over to retrieve baseballsand softballs on a daily basis. This kind of repeated bending movementcan be damaging to the coach or player in that it results in bodyfatigue and, possibly, injury. The act of having to retrieve balls forfielding practice is also time consuming, in that it requires the coachor player to bend over to retrieve the ball and then stand back up. Thischange of body positioning from a hitting stance to a bending stance andback up to a hitting stance is inefficient and takes time away fromfielding practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, andspecifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or beingincorporated as part of, a bat. The ball retrieval device includes afirst end having a plurality of retrieval fangs, a second end, and acollar that is located between the first end and the second end. Theretrieval fangs are capable of expanding and encirculating an object.The second end may include an opening for connecting a bat to the ballretrieval device. Alternatively, the second end may operate toincorporate the ball retrieval device with a bat via a fasteningmechanism, screw mechanism or plug mechanism.

In use, the ball retrieval device is connected to, or incorporated, aspart of a bat. The plurality of retrieval fangs are placed over a balland pressure is placed on the bat downwards onto the ball. The retrievalfangs expand and encircle the ball, thereby retrieving the ball from itslocation on the ground or elsewhere.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more readily understood upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a perspective view of a first embodiment ofthe ball retrieval device in use.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a top plan view of the first embodiment ofthe ball retrieval device.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a side elevation view of the firstembodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of the first embodimentof the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the first embodiment of the ball retrievaldevice being installed on a bat.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the first embodiment of the ball retrievaldevice in use as it is about to pick up a typical baseball or softball.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a typical baseball or softball picked up bya first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a user removing the typical baseball orsoftball from the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a perspective view of a second embodiment ofthe ball retrieval device in use.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view ofthe plug mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ballretrieval device.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view of ascrew mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrievaldevice.

FIG. 12A is a drawing showing a top plan view of the plug embodiment ofthe second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 12B is a drawing showing a side elevation view of the plugembodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 12C is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of the plug embodimentof the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 13A is a drawing showing a top plan view of a screw mountedembodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 13B is a drawing showing a side elevation view of a screw or barbmounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrievaldevice.

FIG. 13C is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of a screw mountedembodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the second embodiment of the ball retrievaldevice about to pick up a typical baseball or softball.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a typical baseball or softball picked up bya second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a user removing the typical baseball orsoftball from the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view of afastened embodiment of the second alternate embodiment of the secondembodiment of the ball retrieval device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ball retrieval device 12, and specifically,a ball retrieval device 12 capable of connecting to, or beingincorporated as part of, a bat. The ball retrieval device 12 includes afirst end 22, a second end 24 and a collar 15. The ball retrieval device12 is connected to, or incorporated as part of, a bat 14.

FIGS. 1-17 show various embodiments of the ball retrieval device 12 ofthe present invention. FIGS. 1-8 detail a first exemplary embodiment ofthe ball retrieval device 12 and FIGS. 9-17 detail a second exemplaryembodiment of the ball retrieval device 12, including several variationsthereof. Generally, the ball retrieval device 12 includes a first end22, a second end 24 and a collar 15.

The first end 22 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustrated inFIGS. 1-17, defines the portion of the ball retrieval device 12 thatallows for the encirculation of a ball 16, such as a baseball orsoftball.

The first end 22 includes a plurality of retrieval fangs 18, orprotuberances, extending away from the second end 24 of the ballretrieval device 12. As discussed further below, and as shown in FIGS. 1and 9, in using the ball retrieval device 12, the retrieval fangs 18 areplaced on a ball 16. As pressure is placed downward, the retrieval fangs18 enlarge and encircle the object 16 being retrieved. Thus, theretrieval fangs 18 are preferably flexible, in that they should becapable of spreading sufficiently to encircle the diameter of the object16 being retrieved.

The first end 22 also includes an inner diameter that provides alocation for the retrieved object to be located and encircled.

The second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustratedin FIGS. 1-17, defines the portion of the ball retrieval device 12 thatprovides for the connection or the incorporation of the ball retrievaldevice 12 with a bat 14. There are various embodiments by which thesecond end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 is connected orincorporated as part of the bat 14.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be incorporated into a bat 14 atmanufacture. Alternatively, it may be fitted by a consumer orintermediate by modifying existing batting devices.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIG. 5, thesecond end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 includes an opening havinga diameter slightly less than the object upon which the ball retrievaldevice 12 is being located. If, for example, the object upon which theball retrieval device 12 is being located is a bat 14, the bat 14 isdirectly inserted into the opening of the second end 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second end 24 of the ball retrievaldevice 12, and specifically, the diameter of the opening of the secondend 24 may be manufactured to fit into the opening for the end-cap of ametal or other non-wooden bat 14.

In an alternative embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown inFIG. 5, the bat 14 includes an interior opening or notch. The second endof the ball retrieval device 12 is then formed so that the diameter ofthe second end is smaller than the interior opening or notch of the bat14. The second end of the ball retrieval device 12 is then removably orpermanently inserted directly into the interior opening on the bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIGS. 10 and12A-C, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to, or incorporated aspart of, the bat 14 by a plug mechanism. With the plug mechanismembodiment, the second end of the ball retrieval device 12 is formed toinclude a groove 28. The bat 14 is manufactured such that the end of thebat 14 encircles the groove 28, thereby incorporating said ballretrieval device 12 with said bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIGS. 11 and13A-C, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to the bat 14 via ascrew mechanism. With the screw mechanism, the second end 24 of the ballretrieval device 12 includes a plurality of notches or “barbs” 32. Aninterior opening or notch 22 is located on the top of the bat 14, andthe opening or notch 22 includes a plurality of grooves 26. The grooves26 located on the interior opening or notch 22 preferably correspond tothe plurality of notches or “barbs” 32 on the second end 24 of the ballretrieval device 12. The ball retrieval device 12 is then incorporatedwith the bat 14 by screwing the second end 24 of the ball retrievaldevice 12 into the interior opening or notch of the bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIG. 17, theball retrieval device 12 is connected to the bat 14 using a fasteningmechanism. The fastening mechanism operates to connect or incorporatethe ball retrieval device 12 to the bat 14 by using a fastener such as ascrew, rivet or screw washer mechanism 38.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the second end 24 of the ballretrieval device 12 includes an opening sufficient to house a fastenersuch as a screw or rivet 38. The ball retrieval device 12 is placeddirectly on top of a bat 14, and a fastener 38 is screwed through thesecond opening and directly into the top of the bat 14, therebyincorporating the ball retrieval device 12 with the bat 14. In analternate embodiment, the second end 24 does not include a closedbottom, and a screw or rivet 38 is screwed directly through said secondend 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 and the bat 14, therebyincorporating the ball retrieval device 12 with the bat 14.

The collar 15 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustrated inFIGS. 1-17, is the supportive structure between the first and secondends.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be constructed of elastomeric material.Alternatively, the ball retrieval device 12 may be manufactured fromrubber, metal or wood. The ball retrieval device 12 may also beconstructed of more than one material.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be constructed as a one-piecemechanism, or may be constructed as several pieces. Alternatively, theball retrieval device 12 may be manufactured along with a bat 14 as aone-piece mechanism. The ball retrieval device 12 and bat 14 may also bemanufactured separately and the connected or incorporated with eachother, as set forth herein.

In optional embodiments, the ball retrieval device 12 may include metal,rubber or plastic springs. It may include soft elastomeric surfaces forgripping the ball 16, and harder and stiffer surfaces for gripping thehitting device. The hardness of the material can be varied to provideand control the device's overall stiffness and strength.

In another optional embodiment, the ball retrieval device 12 may beincorporated in a batting tee to be used as a ball rest or coupling.

In use, as shown by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 9, if notincorporated as part of the bat 14, the ball retrieval device 12 isconnected to the bat 14. The first end of the ball retrieval device 12,and specifically, the plurality of retrieving fangs 18, is placed on topof the object to be retrieved, such as a ball 16. As pressure is placedon the bat 14, the retrieving fangs 18 push down on the ball 16, whichresults in a widening of the retrieving fangs 18 and a subsequentencircling of the ball 16 by the retrieving fangs 18. The retrievingfangs 18 then naturally constrict and the ball 16 is encircled by theretrieving fangs 18.

After he or she has picked up the object to be retrieved, the user 10may lift the bat 14 and ball retrieval device 12 and remove the ball 16from the retrieving fangs 18. Although a “plurality of retrieving fangs”18 may be defined as two or more, retrieving fangs 18, in oneembodiment, the ball retrieval device 12 include an even number ofretrieval fangs 18. The even number of retrieval fangs 18 allows a user10 to optionally grasp the ball 16 from the ball retrieval device 12using his or her thumb in opposition to his or her fingers.

The length of the ball retrieval device 12, as connected with, orincorporated as part of, the bat 14, provides the mechanism by which theball retrieval device 12 encounters a ball 16 laying on the ground. Thelength of the bat 14 with the ball retrieval device 12 allows the user10 to reach the ground from a comfortable hand position, while the user10 is standing up, as is typical for hitting balls 16 during fieldingpractice. The user 10 can hit practice balls 16 to players for asignificant amount of time without the fatigue of stopping or bendingover to retrieve balls 16.

The description and drawings generally describe a ball retrieval device12 capable of encirculating and retrieving balls 16 such as baseballs orsoftballs. There should be no limitation, however, as to the types ofobjects or balls 16 used in connection with the present invention. Forexample, it can be envisioned that the ball retrieval device 12 may bemanufactured such that a soccer ball or box may be encirculated andretrieved.

Moreover, while the description and drawings generally describe a ballretrieval device 12 used by a coach or player 10, it is to be understoodthat the present invention describes a ball retrieval device 12 that canbe used by either male, female, child, or adult. Any limiting termscontained herein, such as “coach”, “player”, “he,” “his,” and “male” asused in the description of the invention are for descriptive purposesonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Further, although the description and drawings generally refer toretrieval of balls 16 in a softball or baseball context, it should beunderstood that the present invention describes a ball retrieval device12 that can be used in any sport where a ball 16 or object is to bepicked up or retrieved. Some exemplary sports for which this device 12may be utilized are baseball, softball, football, basketball,volleyball, or soccer.

Still further, even though the descriptions and drawings generally referto the use of a baseball bat 14 in connection with the ball retrievaldevice 12, it should be understood that a stick, board, or other similarapparatus, may be used in connection with the ball retrieval device 12.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used as terms of description and not of limitation,and are not intended to exclude equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions of them. The scope of the invention is defined andlimited only by the claims that follow.

1. A ball retrieval device, said device comprising: a. a first end, saidfirst end including a plurality of retrieval fangs capable of expandingand encirculating an object; b. a second end, said second end includingan opening; c. a collar located between said first end and said secondend.
 2. The device of claim 1, further including a bat, said batconnecting to said opening of said second end to form a one-piece ballretrieval device.
 3. The device of claim 1, further including a ball,said ball encirculated by said retrieval fangs.
 4. An apparatus forretrieving balls, said apparatus comprising: a. a ball retrieval device,said device comprising: a first end, said first end including aplurality of retrieval fangs capable of expanding and encirculating anobject; a second end, said second end incorporated as part of a bat; anda collar located between said first end and said second end; b. a bat.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said ball retrieval device isincorporated as part of the bat using a plug mechanism, whereby said batincludes an interior opening, and said second end of said ball retrievaldevice is incorporated into said interior opening of said bat, therebyincorporating said ball retrieval device to said bat.
 6. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein said ball retrieval device is incorporated as partof the bat using a screw mechanism, wherein said second end includes aplurality of grooves, and said bat includes an interior opening having aplurality of interior notches, and wherein said plurality of grooves arescrewed into said plurality of interior notches, thereby incorporatingsaid ball retrieval device to said bat.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein said ball retrieval device is incorporated as part of the batusing a fastening mechanism, said fastening mechanism including afastener that incorporates said ball retrieval device to said bat. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, whereby said fastener is chosen from a groupconsisting of: a. a screw; b. a screw and washer; and c. a rivet.
 9. Amethod for retrieving a ball, said method comprising: a. placing a ballretrieval device on a bat, said ball retrieval device comprising: afirst end, said first end including a plurality of retrieval fangscapable of expanding and encirculating an object; a second end, saidsecond end incorporated as part of a bat; and a collar located betweensaid first end and said second end; b. locating a ball; c. locating saidplurality of fangs on said ball; and d. pushing down on said bat suchthat said pressure of said plurality of fangs operates to expand saidretrieval fangs, thereby opening said fangs and encirculating said ball.